Al-Dawaa Medical Services' (TADAWUL:4163) Strong Earnings Are Of Good Quality

Al-Dawaa Medical Services Company's (TADAWUL:4163) strong earnings report was rewarded with a positive stock price move. We have done some analysis, and we found several positive factors beyond the profit numbers.

See our latest analysis for Al-Dawaa Medical Services

Examining Cashflow Against Al-Dawaa Medical Services' Earnings

One key financial ratio used to measure how well a company converts its profit to free cash flow (FCF) is the accrual ratio. To get the accrual ratio we first subtract FCF from profit for a period, and then divide that number by the average operating assets for the period. You could think of the accrual ratio from cashflow as the 'non-FCF profit ratio'.

Therefore, it's actually considered a good thing when a company has a negative accrual ratio, but a bad thing if its accrual ratio is positive. While having an accrual ratio above zero is of little concern, we do think it's worth noting when a company has a relatively high accrual ratio. To quote a 2014 paper by Lewellen and Resutek, "firms with higher accruals tend to be less profitable in the future".

For the year to March 2024, Al-Dawaa Medical Services had an accrual ratio of -0.15. That implies it has very good cash conversion, and that its earnings in the last year actually significantly understate its free cash flow. Indeed, in the last twelve months it reported free cash flow of ر.س654m, well over the ر.س348.3m it reported in profit. Al-Dawaa Medical Services' free cash flow improved over the last year, which is generally good to see.

That might leave you wondering what analysts are forecasting in terms of future profitability. Luckily, you can click here to see an interactive graph depicting future profitability, based on their estimates.

Our Take On Al-Dawaa Medical Services' Profit Performance

As we discussed above, Al-Dawaa Medical Services has perfectly satisfactory free cash flow relative to profit. Because of this, we think Al-Dawaa Medical Services' earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! And the EPS is up 46% annually, over the last three years. Of course, we've only just scratched the surface when it comes to analysing its earnings; one could also consider margins, forecast growth, and return on investment, among other factors. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing Al-Dawaa Medical Services at this point in time. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Al-Dawaa Medical Services.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Al-Dawaa Medical Services' profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. For example, many people consider a high return on equity as an indication of favorable business economics, while others like to 'follow the money' and search out stocks that insiders are buying. While it might take a little research on your behalf, you may find this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying to be useful.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.